ALBION captain Curtis Davies is confident his own game will develop under the tutorship of new England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce.

Davies is determined to learn as much as he can from former England legend Pearce - a hero of his - beginning with tomorrow's friendly international with Spain at Pride Park.

The former Luton defender felt he was not a first choice under Peter Taylor and is hoping he can put that right under Pearce, who will also be in charge for the European Championship finals this summer.

Davies said: "Stuart Pearce is an 'England-until-I-die' sort of man and I have admired him ever since I've been watching football.

"He was an exceptionally good player and the way he used to play the game I used to like because he was hard and committed. But, as a manager, he also seems the part. I have spoken to a couple of the Manchester City lads, like Micah Richards, and they say he has brought them on and has done well for them.

"My attitude is if you can't get motivated by someone like Stuart Pearce then you are in the wrong game because he has done so much and played at the highest level all his career.

"He was also in the frame for the England senior job. That shows the type of guy he is. He'd only been a manager for a year when he was mentioned.

"The Football Association will look at him and see someone who loves his country and it actually hurts him when England lose.

"If he had been chosen as England manager, I think it would have been good but Steve McClaren has done a good job and the Under-21s will benefit from have Stuart Pearce in charge."

Davies added: "Being a defender myself, I am sure he will help me develop my game. They are only short spells with the Under-21s but I will try and learn as much from him as I can.

"Peter Taylor is the guy who brought me into the Under-21 squad but I wasn't really a first choice. That's his prerogative. If a fresh face comes in with new ideas, you never know what might happen. I might get in - or I might not."